How to Boost Your Flower Power

What is not to love about receiving gorgeous fresh-cut flowers! Once your flowers arrive, you want to enjoy their beauty as long as possible. How to make them last?

Firstly, be sure to use a clean vase! Wash it thoroughly to kill microorganisms that may be lurking from the last use. (Bacteria lead to yucky water and dying flowers.) Trim the flower stemsâ?? a 45 degree angle is best, try to use a sharp knife to provide a clean cut, and do it under running water if you can. Remove any greenery that will be submerged in your water. Use water that is cool, not too hot or too cold. Donâ??t place your beautiful blooms in direct sunlight. Change the water daily.

Now to feed and protect, add the packet of preservative packet to the vase water before you add the flowers. But what if you toss the packet by mistake, and what do you do in the days to come?

There are a few common household items that you can use to boost flower longevity (some may surprise you!):

Soda: Add a few splashes of clear soda to your vase water. Soda is refreshing for you, and yummy for the flowers.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Add two tablespoons of cider vinegar and two tablespoons of sugar to your vase water before you add the flowers. This will help feed and preserve your beautiful blooms.

Bleach: Same idea. You can add about three drops of bleach and one teaspoon of sugar. Bacteria reduced, food provided.

Aspirin: Crush one aspirin and add it to the vase water before you add the flowers. Roses especially will benefit from the acidity.

Vodka: Yes, you can add a few drops of vodka (or other clear spirits) with one teaspoon of sugar to the vase water. The vodka is thought to help kill harmful bacteria while the sugar provides food for the plants.

Coins: Add a penny plus one cube of sugar to the vase water for the same effect. The copper of the penny is thought to inhibit the bacterial growth.

With a little rummage around the house, you can boost the life of your flowers and enjoy them as long as possible!